(Cymbopogon citratus)

(W. Sam Vang, 2000, Southeast Asian Specialty Crop Experimental Project (SEASCEP) 1999-2000 Lemongrass Production.)

Introduction:
There are approximately 700 Southeast Asian farmers in Fresno County, 100 in Merced
County, and 50 in Tulare County in 1999-2000 seasons. These farmers have tried hard to make a
living from their farming business and have cultivated over 3,000 acres this year. Commodities
from over two dozen different SE Asian crops many introduced by some SE Asian refugees dating
back to the early 1980s, comprise the majority of their production. Some of these crops are new to
the local community, such as lemongrass, Thai-long bean, Thai-cherry-eggplant, bitter melon, opoe,
Lemongrass Project 1999-2000
and sinqua. Besides adding
diversity to the diet, these new
introductions are rich in
vitamins and minerals.
People are curious about
cooking methods and use of
these crops. It is very important
that we are able to not only
provide the consumers with
high quality products but also
recipes to stimulate their
consumption. I would, both a
farmer and adviser greatly
appreciate assistance in helping
farmers understand marketing
concepts. I have been working
with the SE Asian farming
community for over ten years now. I am doubtful that in the near future they will make changes on
their own that will impact the agricultural industry in the Central San Joaquin Valley. I urge
everyone to participate in our project to help implement a more effective method of growing these
crops. Farming in California is very important to everyone as it not only improves the economy but
also provides jobs and self-worth to a large segment of the community.
There is a concern over how small agricultural operations can survive and thrive in
California. It is very important for everyone to know what is happening in the agricultural industry.
Marketing strategies are very important in the survival of small enterprises through flocculation in
agricultural market trends. The farmers must understand what direction they are heading, and what
kind of resources is available to them! What will their approach be? Who will be there for them
when they are in need? Will the local government be responsive to the needs of the farmers? Will
county, state or federal governmental agencies be available to these farmers? Who will support the

1
promotion of their crops into a broader market? Who will do the research for their crops in order to
make the crops better known to the general public nationwide who will improve the overall crop
production and demand? These are all-important questions that we have to ask others and ourselves.
If the farmers understand how important they are and are able to answer all of the above questions,
this will greatly improve their chances of success. Many are deeply in need of someone who can
offer reasonable ideas on how to help these farmers to overcome the obstacles that keep them from
reaching their potential.
Agricultural institutions and governmental agencies can play a role in making resources
available. In helping them understand the basic farming techniques in their new transplanted home,
we will be able to develop more successful farmers for our community. This could have a
phenomenal impact on our economy.
The SEASCEP, (SE Asian Specialty Crop Experimental Project), at California State
University of Fresno, is designed to carry out such a mission. Our goal is to assist farmers with the
basic understanding of water, nutrient, weed, pest, disease, and frost management to improve their
crop production. Furthermore, we are seeking a marketing strategy to help promote these crops to a
wider market. Also, record keeping is essential and included in the program to maintain records for
their farming activities to plan for future financial needs. In addition, a student outreach program
has been designed to point out the importance of job availability and opportunities in the
agricultural industry. The program will encourage the younger generation to get involved with
agriculture and Help Bridge the gap between farmers and their children as they assimilate into the
community. Hopefully, the work that USDA/NRCS, Sierra Resources Conservation District, and
California State University of Fresno, (Farm Operation & Plant Science Departments) have
provided to this project will change the image and opportunities associated with the farming
business of the SE Asian community.
Lemongrass is one of the SE Asian tropical crops. It is a perennial grass, (Cymbopogon
citratus) which has been introduced to the Central Valley, California, in the late 1980s. Presently,
there are two varieties, Green and Purple, (both well known in the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian,
Vietnamese, and Thai communities) commercially grown in the Fresno and Merced counties. There
are approximately 500 acres distributed throughout the nation and Canada mostly within the SE
Asian community. The use of lemongrass in the entire SE Asian community can be traced to its
origin in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, where it has been used as a major seasoning
additive to foods. Also, lemongrass oil is used as fragrance in perfumes and cosmetics, such as
soaps and creams. In 1988 the United States imported 74 metric tons of lemongrass oil from
Guatemala and India at a cost of $900,000, (Specialty and Minor Crops Handbook, University of
California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 3346.)
As of 1999-2000 seasons, SE Asian growers have increased the production of lemongrass
due to its high value and demand. In 1998/1999, the wholesale price of lemongrass skyrocketed to
$3.00 per pound compared to the regular price of 50 cents per pound, (e.g. a forty- pound-box of
edible lemongrass stems sold at a whole sale price of $149.00 in June, July, and August of 1999,
Yang Specialty Produces of Selma, CA.)
Lemongrass is very sensitive to frost damage and it is considered as a very high risk to the
grower during the winter. The edible portion of lemongrass can experience frost damage during the
cold period when the temperature drops to 32 degree Fahrenheit or below and can be either killed
outright or rendered unmarketable.

FIELD SELECTION:

2
 Lemongrass is a perennial grass from tropical region that has a shallow root zone with most
of the roots occupying the upper 6-8 inches of the soil profile. It is very important that a selection of
good fertile soil be a primary consideration. A thorough study and check for the soil should be
conduct prior to an attempt to establish the field. The study should include; the climate, location and
soil characteristics, availability and quality of the irrigation water, availability of markets, labor,
mechanization, and the direct costs in establishing the field. In addition, a selection of the right
variety or cultivar that will suit to the market demands and climate should be of priority
consideration.
It is very important to learn as much as you can regard the weather patterns of the proposed
location. Usually, you can obtain information from neighbors who have lived and grown
lemongrass in the area for years. Also, you can obtain the information from the local government
weather station, the local agricultural colleges, the local cooperative extension, and agricultural
agencies.
Knowing the physical and chemical properties of the soil is very helpful for you to make a
proper decision as to site location. The information can be obtained from the local agricultural
colleges, Natural Resources Conservation Services agency, county agricultural department, and
private agricultural consultants. Also, soil must be collected and tested to find out exactly the
physical and chemical properties of the planting location.
In addition, it is very important to know the availability and quality of your irrigation water.
The information can be obtained from the county Department of Water Resources (DWR) or private
irrigation consultants be
conducting a water audit to see if
potential supply will meet
demand. Consult with the local
vegetable shippers for the
available market niches. The local
Employment Department
Development (EDD) or the local
labor contractors available in the
region are the best sources to
study for the available labor
information. Lastly, local farm
equipment dealers, private
agricultural consultants, or
cooperative extension will be the
sources that you can obtain the
Figure 1: A good- ground preparing field is ready for bed listing. information regard availability of
Photo: Chu Yang, USDA-
the farming equipment and the
costs of establishing a lemongrass field.
Base on our finding on the lemongrass study project, lemongrass will grow best on sandy
loam soil with an average balk density of 1.49 to 1.89 to reduce the inter-node elongation and high
concentration of leaf-residues. Loamy and clay loam soil can be suitable to the lemongrass crop too,
but a close watch on irrigation scheduling and fertilizer application must be well documented and
followed through. For the temperature wise, we suggest that lemongrass will be best grown
anywhere between 85 – 95 degrees Fahrenheit with high relative humidity of 90% - 100%.
Lemongrass can be planted to a field that has a common weed problem of yellow nutsedge,
Johnsongrass, and bindweed. Because lemongrass is a perennial, three months after planting, plants
have the tendency to produce large canopy. In result, they shade out the weeds throughout the

3
summer and the following spring. These helps preventing weeds from growing and other crops
such us bean or green leafy-vegetables can be followed.

*http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/ccs/soilmnth.html
*http://www.nass.usda.gov/cencus97/cenfaqs.htm *http://www.usda.gov/history/pastsec.htm

PLANTING:
The ground was well cultivated and bedded it up into 60 inch bedding. A combination of
sprinklers and drip lines was used. Sprinklers were used for pre-irrigating. Also, they were used for

Figure 2: Well prepared beds (60 inches.) Photo: Figure 3: NRCS team is hand-planting
Chu Yang, USDA-NRCS lemongrass. Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-NRCS
rust control and frost prevention in the winter. Two different varieties of Lemongrass, (Homntsuab,
Hmong) Green and (Homxiav, Hmong) Purple were planted to the study plot

Homntsuab (Green)

This variety is well known in the SE Asian community to possess a vigorous stalk and is
capable of higher yields.
Characteristics:
♦ Pale-green foliage color
♦ Tends to grow with a larger clump & produces
a slightly taller stand
♦ Large stalk (marketable diameter sizes, from 1
¾” - 4”)
♦ Leaves curve slightly toward the ground
♦ Occupies a large space
♦ Subtle flavor (cooking)

Homxiav, (Purple) Figure 4: Green variety, four months after

planting. Photo: Sam Vang, USDA -NRCS
This variety is well known in the SE Asian community to possess a small stalk and is slighter
in yields, but it has a strong flavor.

Characteristics:

4
 ♦ Dark green foliage
♦ Tends to grow with a slightly smaller
clump & is slightly shorter in height than
the homntsuab variety.
♦ Small stalk (marketable diameter sizes
from 1 ¼” – 3”)
♦ Majority of foliage remain erect
♦ Slightly small canopy
♦ Strong flavor (cooking)

Lemongrasses were planted on March

26, 1999. A vegetative method was used for
Figure 5: Purple variety, five months after
propagation, as lemongrass never produces planting. Photo: Sam Vang, USDA -NRCS
seeds. Therefore, edible stem bases were used
as rootstocks. They were clipped off from the original plants and cut at two to three inches away
from the leaf-interchanges. A sixty-inch bed was used for this study. Single rootstocks were planted
at 1 to 3 feet apart to minimize competition and fields are planted to diamond pattern. Three field
trials were planted to a quarter acre plot at the Fresno State University farm. Ammonium Phosphate
was applied as an early sidedress fertilizer, three weeks after planting at a rate ranging from 40-
60bls.N/A. During the vegetative stage, additional 60-80bls.N/A should be applied to the field, if
soil test results show a need of additional nitrogen fertilizer. In this study, during the rapid
vegetative growth (June & July), CAN-17, (2.11 lbs N/gal) was applied at a rate of 40-60 gal/A.
Please see note on nutrient management.
The lemongrasses were planted on the west of the study area, and they were planted on three
consecutive beds, skipping one in between every third row utilizing double rows and spaced in
diamond pattern to minimize early competition. Plants were planted to varying spacings of (12” X
12”), (24” X 24”), and (24” X 36”) on a sixty-inch bed with single rootstocks compared to the
conventional practice of double rootstocks on a thirty-six-inch bed. Surface drip system was used
and the grasses tended to develop with more
restricted root zones compared to what would be
expected with conventional furrow irrigation.
In addition, a new trial was planted in
September to the last two beds to the east to
determine if it could be planted later in the season,
become established and overwinter for an earlier
harvest the next year. Green and Purple varieties
(Hmong) were both used and were planted in
double rows with a (24” X 24”) spacing and with
double subsurface drip lines.
The crop was planted on September 15,
1999, utilizing the single rootstock method. On
October 20, thirty-five days after planting, both
Figure 6: Sam Vang, (CSUF student) showed varieties had produced on the average of two
Tria Yang, (NRCS employee) armyworm shoots per plant. In this study, drip lines were
damaged to the 3 months old lemongrass clump buried four inches below the ground surface with
on the late planting trial. Photo: Chu Yang, double drip lines to the outside of the lemongrass
USDA-NRCS
rows.
Buried drip used slightly less water. Fortunately, we were able to reduce about 20-25
percent of the water used compared to the surface drip system, by reducing the irrigation frequency
from four applications per week to three applications per week during the hot summer months of

5

Figure 7: Late planting, 6 months after
planting. Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-NRCS
June, July, and August. Length of water application
was from 2-3 hours per set. This reduced total
application time from 8 hours per week to 6 hours
per week (see first irrigation schedule detail on
Irrigation Management).

http://www.vedamsbooks.com/no21294.htm
http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/tips/18tip1.htm
l

http://www.aggie-
horticulture.tamu.edu/county/smith/tips/vegie/lemon
grass.html
http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/crops/specilaty/lemongra
ss.html

VEGETATIVE MANAGEMENT:
Particularly during early establishments,
vegetative management is a major concern for
lemongrass production in Central Valley,
California. Early canopy development is greatly
influenced by planting date and this affects the
competition ability of lemongrass and will
increase the need for additional management and
need for herbicide usage. For example, if planted
too early in the spring, there will be a chance of
frost destruction or at least a severe set back. On Figure 8: Five months after planting. Fertilizer
the other hand, if planted late, plant will not was stopped and water was reduced from two
reach its full production yield due to weed and applications per week to one application per
week. Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-NRCS
pest pressures. Since, lemongrass is new to the
region and little research done has been
conducted, the majority of lemongrass
growers are having problems with
Shootgrowth Curve
vegetative management.
Number of Shoots

Purple Green
There is no equipment available
100 to assist in harvest and existing
80
60 cultivation equipment is problematic
40 and must be adopted on a case-by-case
20
0 basis. Most cultural operation, from
planting to harvest, is done manually.
16

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On this study, three weeks after

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planting, we started hand-weeding the

field. We made sure that it was clear
Date Observation
from weeds in order to push for root
Figure 9: Shoot growth monitoring was started from June 2nd to and crown establishment. Also, we
July 21st of 1999 and it was conducted in a weekly basis. (Sam trimmed the older leaves every three

6
weeks, from April 23 to June 18, to allow for new shoot generation. This time was the critical time
for pushing the plants to reach their full growth in late August before the size-monitoring period
started.

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT:
Early planting (March 26, 1999)

Ammonium Phosphate was applied as a starter fertilizer three weeks after planting. The
fertilizer was applied at a rate of six units (fifty-pound-bag) per acre for the (2' X 3') and (2' X 2')
spacing trials. It equaled to 40 pounds of nitrogen per acre. And for the (1' X 1') spacing trial, we
used 45 pounds of nitrogen per acre.
Figure 11: Fertilizer injection lines connected from the
electrical portable pump into the irrigation pipeline.
Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-NRCS.

Figure 10: An electrical portable fertilizer pump.

It pumped fertilizer from the fertilizer container to
the fertilizer injector. Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-
NRCS.

The fertilizer
(Ammonium Phosphate) was
manually applied as
sidedressing at about 6 inches
away from the plants and 2
1/2 inches deep. Later during
the vegetative stage, (July and
August) 85 lbs. N/A of
Calcium Ammonium Nitrate
(CAN-17) were applied to the
crop divided into four
different applications of 21
lbs. N/A per application for
every two weeks, (Jun. 23,
Jul. 7, Jul. 21, & Aug. 4.) The
Figure 12: Last fertilizer application (Aug. 4, 1999.) Photo: Sam Vang, liquid fertilizer was applied
USDA-NRCS.
through the drip irrigation
with a mini-portable electrical pump. Manually, we mixed 20 gallons of water with the fertilizer and
injected for approximately one hour. Applications were biweekly for eight consecutive weeks
starting from June 2, 1999 and ending on July 28, 1999. These rates were based on the sandy loam

7
soil and responses will vary with different soil conditions. For example, you may need less water
and fertilizer on clay textural soil type to prevent internode-elongation that will lower the quality
and reduce marketable yield.
It is very important to have the soil tested to estimate available nutrients before making any
decision involving fertilizing application. Lemongrass can be planted from late March to middle of
April and reach a potential marketable yield with a minimum of 16 ton/A in late September. This
figure was based on a single rootstock planting method with a (2’ X 3’) spacing on the sixty-inch
bedding.

Late Planting Trial (September 15, 1999)

We approached with a different

water and nutrient management for this trial.
A planting spacing method of (2ft X 2ft)
with single rootstock was conducted on a
(10ft X 170ft) plot. It was planted to
Homntsuab variety on one bed and Homxiav
variety to another bed, and planting was
done on September 15, 1999. Double
driptapes were used on this plot. The drip
tapes were buried at 2 1/2 inches in the
Figure 13: Showing late planting plants in May 2000.
ground and 3 inches away to the outside
Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-NRCS. from the plants. We applied Ammonium
Phosphate as starter fertilizer 15 days after
planting (September 30, 1999). We used 40 lbs. of N per acre or 6 bags of the fifty-pound-bag
Ammonium Phosphate. We applied the fertilizer as sidedress about 6 inches away from the plants
and 2 inches deep. Four shoots per plant were attained by early December when the plants were 1
½ feet tall.
A clear plastic greenhouse-type enclosure with completed wood structures was installed to
the plot on December 10, 1999. Plants grew well
under the greenhouse throughout the winter with
minimal problem. We disassembled the greenhouse
on April 9, 2000 and injected 21 lbs. N/A of CAN-
17 (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate) to the trial. Plants
had developed about 7 shoots per plant by February
14, 2001, and we disassembled the greenhouse. On
April 25, we added another 21 lbs. N/A of Calcium
Ammonium Nitrate (CAN-17), and it was the last
fertilizer application for the test. We counted for the
Figure 14: A mature late planting plant in late shoots again on July 15, and we achieved 89 shoots
September 2000. Photo: Sam Vang, USDA- per plant.
NRCS

Fertilizer calibration calculator available from http://www.spyker.com/calculator.html

IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT:

8
 The Hanford Sandy Loam is located at the southeast corner of Chestnut and Barstow in the
Fresno State university farm. Base on the Fresno County Soil Survey, this soil has moderate water
holding capacity and moderate water permeability because of its sandy structure. This soil is
generally considered suitable for row crop because of its moderate bulk density and can
successfully be used support lemongrass if close attention is paid to the irrigation schedule because
of the crop’s shallow roots.
The root zone of this new crop was determined by digging a one and a half square feet hole
by two feet deep at an inch away from the lemongrass crown. The study was conducted on a one-
Figure 16: Showing root determintation, year-old mature lemongrass plant. We excavated the hole
two days after dug the hole. Photo: 12 hours after an irrigation application. The procedure
Sam Vang, USDA-NRCS. was
set up
at two
differe
nt
sites.
Two
days
later,
we Figure 15: Showing drip irrigation system, (water
checke filters & meters. Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-NRCS.
d for
the amount of roots that penetrate the soil. We counted
all roots and found 75% of its root density occupied at the
first half foot from the ground surface and 25% were
below. The finding gave us tools to determine irrigation
schedule
for the Crop Coefficient
lemongr
ass. We 1.50
1.00
Available Water 0.50
0.00
1.20 00-Jan 09-Apr 18-Jul 26-Oct 03-Feb
1.00
0.80
Figure 17: Showing water crop coefficient for 7-
0.60
month & 15-month production window. By: Sam
0.40
0.20 Vang, USDA-NRCS.
0.00
01- 02- 01- 30- 29- 28-Oct 27-
Jan Mar May Jun Aug Dec used a MAD (Moisture Allowable Depletion)
Figure 18: Showing available water throughout the of 40-50%. We used Et of sweet corn (.35) to
season. (Both 7-month & 15-month windows.) By: determine the irrigation scheduling for
Sam Vang, USDA-NRCS. lemongrass (Specialty and Minor Crops
Handbook, Second Edition, Published by University of California, Division of Agriculture and
Natural Resources Publication 3346.)
Subsequently, irrigation was applied from the vegetative stage and throughout the summer at
about 0.20-0.50 inch per irrigation set to meet the loss from the water used by the crop. Different
irrigation schedules were required for both the early planting and late planting trials.

9
 The first schedule of the early planting started on April 3, 1999, seven days after planting
and was continued until November 31, and resumed from April 9, 2000, the following year, to
September or until the crop is harvested. The late planting, first irrigation schedule started from
September 17, two days after planting and ceased November 31, and was resumed the second year
on April 9, 2000 and continued until September.
Good water management is highly recommended at the early growth stage. Plants should
generate of 85-100 shoots from the original rootstock 100 days after planting. During this period,
the focus was shifted from side-growth monitoring to monitoring for size. We stressed the plants
with water to retard new shoots from generating. We carefully managed the water to make sure we
applied sufficient amount of water for the plants to utilize for cell enlargement within the stems,
discourage excessive vegetative growth.
Surface and subsurface drips were used for the study. The surface drip was laid on top of
the ground, and the subsurface drip was buried at 2 ½ inches below the ground surface. We used
double lines in the methods of irrigation.

Advantages and disadvantages of the surface and subsurface drips:

Surface

Advantages Disadvantages
*Physically visible *More susceptible to rodent and rabbit damage
*Minimal root intrusion *Restricted root zone
*Deterioration due to sun damage
*Potential runoff
*High maintenance cost
* Interferes cultivation & harvesting
*Higher evaporation potential

Figure 20: Showing subsurface drip

Figure 19: Showing surface drip irrigation after irrigation after an irrigation application on
installation. Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-NRCS. the mature plants. Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-
NRCS.

Subsurface

Advantages Disadvantages
*Potential for increased uniformity *High maintenance cost
*Potential for increased root zone * Root intrusion
*Minimal runoff *Not physically visible
*No deterioration due to sun damage *Repair more problematic
10
*No rabbit damage but still gophers
*Low interfere with cultivation and harvesting
*Reduced water loss due to evaporation

It appeared that the subsurface trial held better moisture for a longer period compared to the
surface trial. Plants with the subsurface system had more exterior and deeper root capacity. This
provided more potential to draw available water deeper from the soil, and they tended to have a
vigorous and upright growth habits. We were able to reduce water applications from 4 to 3 per
week during the hot summer months of June, July, and August with a proportionate reduced of 25%
of the water used in the surface system.
The surface drip system had a very restricted and shallow root system that produced smaller
clumps with reduced sizes compared with subsurface drip.

California Irrigation Management Information system (CIMIS) http://dla.water.ca.gov/cgi-

bin/cimis/cimis/hq/main.pl

PEST MANAGEMENT:

Insect species throughout the production season were collected and identified. Species were
separated into harmful and beneficial and samples were retained to demonstrate the species to the
lemongrass growers. Labelled and pinned species were made available to farmers to facilitate
learning. In addition to collecting the insect species at random, they were also counted to evaluate
the numerical presence in the field. On average, the field contained about 76% beneficial and about
24% harmful insects. The percentage was based on the numbers of individuals classified as
beneficial species compared to harmful species. Insects were collected from four 400 sq.ft randomly
designated areas.

Insects collected from the studied areas:

Insects Area #1 Area #2 Area #3 Area#4 Total

Beneficial 24 30 21 25 100

Harmful 5 7 12 8 32

Insects collected from the designated areas. These are not included aphids.

Percentages:

BI = Beneficial insect. HI = Harmful insect. TBI = Total beneficial insects. THI = Total harmful
insects. TI = Total insects from both beneficial and harmful.

1. BI=TBI = 100 = 76%

TI 132

11
 2. HI=THI = 32 = 24%
TI 132

General beneficial insect species found in the field:

- Spiders
- Wasps
- Ground beetles
- Dragonflies
- Preying mantis
- Ladybugs
- Ants (not identified)

Spiders tended to weave intricate webs that catch other insects. Most of them were moths, a
harmful species to the crop. Wasps also laid their eggs in the nymphs of armyworms, moths and
butterflies and then fed on the insides of these eggs and nymphs destroying them before they can
become harmful to the crop. Ground beetles sift through soil and aerate it by creating pores in the
ground, thus making the soil less compact and facilitating absorption of nutrients by the crops.
Ground beetles also feed on smaller insects on the ground such as young grasshoppers that are not
yet capable of flying. Preying mantis also like preying on grasshoppers and are a good sign of
diversity when found in the field. Ladybirds tended to prey on aphids and lowered their numbers
with the crop.

General harmful insects found in the field:

- Armyworms
- Grasshoppers
- Aphids
- Moths
- Cutworms
-Stinkbugs

Armyworms were a concern at the early

stage growth of the crop as they attacked the young
shoots at the root by chewing the root right below
the surface ground and stem right above the ground.
One way to control the armyworms was to clear the
beds and rows of any weeds that may invite the
presence of armyworms or other harmful species.
Cultural control was manual at the beginning of the
season. Cleaning was intensive once a week and this
enabled the young lemongrass crop to absorb more
Figure 21: Bio-control area, 20ft to the north nutrients, without needing to compete with the
from the lemongrass studied plot. (trapped
insects to the area during the summer and fall.)
weeds, and the removed excess vegetation in the
Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-NRCS. form of weeds decreased the numbers of the harmful
that attacked the lemongrass. This method was very
effective and reduced the presence of armyworms in a few weeks. At a later date, moth and
butterfly nymphs attacked the actual leaf of the lemongrass, but at this stage the lemongrass was

12
fully-grown and was not affected substantially. Natural predators such as spiders sufficed to reduce
the numbers of moth and butterfly nymphs, larvae and adults.

Bio-Control Plot
This plot was set aside from the lemongrass plot. The bio-control plot was of rectangular dimension
of approximately 15’ X 50’ and consisted of randomly grown lemongrass plants and weeds. It
located at twenty feet away from the lemongrass plot to the north. In its vicinity were a natural
habitat of weeds and an area, which was slightly water logged. It was a prime attractant of insects
and kept them from moving to the lemongrass field. The water logging of this area was inviting for
the young insects and the natural and diverse presence of weeds was a sufficient source of nutrition
and habitat for the insects.

Vertebrate presence

Several vertebrate species were found in the field. Ground squirrels, and gophers, attacked
the roots of the lemongrass plants, causing a weakening and death of several clumps. On a few
occasions where this was found, poison-bait was utilized in the destroyed area and prevented for
further damages. Foxes and rabbits also were
spotted in and around the field. They
attempted to develop resting harbours in the
lemongrass canopy but had to be driven
away from the area where spotted to prevent
crop trampling. Also, both these animals
caused a major problem to damage to
driptapes. During mid-season, masses of
blackbirds were present in and around the
field. These birds darted at the crop in
playful manners and ruin the leaves of
effected areas of the crop. The problems
effected the crop's transpiration and created a Figure 22: Showing rodent damage to the clump.
tendency to slow its growth. Several poles Photo: Jamila A., USDA-NRCS.
with silver and red reflective tapes deterred
these birds from further visits to the field.

New Agents for Pest Management in Minor Crops

http://www.ent.iastate.edu/entsoc/ncb99/prog/abs/aa6.html
Specialty Minor Crops Handbook 2nd Ed.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1879906384/inktomi-bkasin-20/002-0422950-3648065

DISEASE /VIRUS MANAGEMENT:

During the early stages of the lemon grass, virus symptoms were not visible on the plants.
Visibility became apparent during the later stages of growth, especially during the autumn and
winter. During winter, the dew present in the morning on the plants turned into frost weakening the
plants. Plastic greenhouse-type enclosures were installed for frost prevention. The heat and water
retention of the enclosures is very good, although the increased amount of humidity has given rise
to some outgrowths of black molt near the root zone of the lemongrass. In the period previous to the

13
 plastic instalment, sprinklers were used to
control rusts. During plastic-cover utilization
sprinklers cannot be used, and it seemed that the
virus symptoms (rusts) were less visible on the
plants. That could be due to the maturity stage
and vigorous canopy of the plants. Furthermore,

Figure 23: Using sprinkler for rust control in early

October 1999. Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-NRCS.

the amount of black molt presence was not

dangerous in any way, but simply caused problems
associated with an aesthetic nature.
There is also some powdery-type mildew
was present in the field that has a rusty color to it,
(unidentified) although the amount present was not Figure 24: Showing rust infestation during late
causing problems to the growth or health of the November to December. Photo: Sam Vang,
plant, it was aesthetically unacceptable. USDA-NRCS.

WEED MANAGEMENT:

Weeds in the lemongrass field were only problematic during the early growth stage when
the plants were still small, less competitive, and in a greater need of the nutrients and space. At this
stage, field must be kept free of weeds. Since,
there are no registered herbicides other then
Figure 26: Managed weed by using
rotortiller cultivating the weed in June.
Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-NRCS.
Roundup
(glyphos
ate) for
lemongr
ass,
weed
manage
ment
becomes Figure 25: Chu Yang is hoeing weed following a
very rotortailor-cultivator. Weed is problematic from
critical at early June to early August. Photo: Sam Vang,
the early USDA-NRCS.
growth stage. Manually, we hoed the weeds surrounding
the young lemongrass plants at their four-true-leaf stage.
We covered the lemongrass plants with paper caps and
spot-sprayed the weeds with Roundup. This procedure
was very labour intensive. A spray boom with good
cover shells will be sufficient for this weed control
practice, if drift can be entirely avoided, (Vegetative

14
Growth Phase.)
During the middle of the lemongrass growth, weeds were also present but did not pose any
threat to the lemongrass or the drip system due to the precise and direct water application onto the
root zone. In the winter, weeds were less present due to adverse weather conditions and also due to
the greater size and vigorous canopy of the mature lemongrass plants, which occupied most of the
available space around them. Also due to the vigorous size of the individual plant, leaves tended to
cover a large area around the actual plant thus giving weeds little or no chance to grow there
because of lack of sunlight.
Water grasses tended to present throughout the year and preferred the months of winter
because of the increased amount of humidity and waterlogging at times. Johnsongrasses,
puncturevines, cheese weed, and prickly lettuce with their deep roots were present during the
summer months. The usage of the drip irrigation eased the amount of weeds by not watering as
broadly as the sprinkler and furrow irrigations.

FROST MANAGEMENT:
Five plastic greenhouse-type enclosures (15' X 150') were installed to the lemongrass for
frost prevention on December 18, 1999. The enclosures were built to two different models. A three-
frame- structural enclosure was installed to the
Homntsuab (green) variety on the planting spacing

Figure 27: Installation of a completed wood

Figure 28: A single structure frame type of plastic
frame enclosure for frost prevention, December
enclosure shows on the background. (Front: Sam
10, 1999. (From front to back; Jamila, Tria
Vang, CSUF student. Back row: from right, Dr.
Vang, & Lou Vang.) Photo: Sam Vang, USDA-
Phearson, Dr. Hile, & Dr. Jost, CSUF Professors.)
NRCS.
Photo: Chu Yang, USDA/NRCS.
trial of 2 ½’ X 3’. This model had wood-frame structures supported from the middle and outer-
sides of the enclosure. The supporting wood-frame structures were 5ft tall in the middle and 3ft tall
from the outer sides of the enclosure. The plastic-cover was laid onto the supporting wood-frame
structures leaving a free space of a foot from the plastic-cover sheet to the lemongrass leaves, and
the enclosure was completely sealed with dirt at the ground level. The enclosure generated good
heat circulation under the enclosure.
The other four enclosures were installed to the rest of the lemongrass trials with a single
wood-frame structure supported from the middle. The plastic-cover sheets were laid right on the
lemongrass leaves and sealed with dirt at the ground level. During the cold winter months, the
three-frame structure enclosure was being monitored daily for the inside temperature. We opened
both ends of the enclosure between 7:00AM and 8:00AM and closed it at 4:30PM. This procedure
allowed significant air circulation through the enclosure to prevent blackmolt devastation. We
15
disassembled all the enclosures on March 20, 2000. Plants under the three-frame structure
enclosure were in good condition compared to plants from other trials that had severe blackmolt
damages to the canes.

HARVESTING:
Figure 29: A mature lemongrass field, November 15, Conventionally, lemongrass is
1999. Plants were 7 months-old and 5 ft. height. Photo: harvested from 12-15 months after planting.
SamVang,USDA-NRCS. Farmers usually plant the rootstocks in late
February or early March and start the

harvesting the crop from May to June of the

following year. The conventional practice causes
many unforeseen problems that have a tendency
to increase crop inputs and potentially decrease

Green Variety (2' X 3') Figure 30: Marketable Figure 31: Marketable
size #1 (Large). The size #2 (small). Stalks
Size 1 Size 2 N-M stalks were harvested on were harvested on Nov.
Nov. 15, 99. Length: 18 15, 99. Length: 18 in.
80% in. Diameter: 4 in. (Fresh Diameter: 3 in. (Fresh
market.) Photo: Sam market.) Sam Vang,
60%
Percent

xs Vang, NRCS. NRCS.

40%
20% Green Variety (2' X 2')
0%
15-Sep 15-Oct 15-Nov Size #1 Size #2 N-M
Date Observed
80%
60%
Percent

Figure 32: Shows percent of shoots per clump

40%
harvested on Sept. 15, Oct. 15 & Nov. 15, 1999.
20%
Spacing: (2' X 3'). Variety: (Hom Ntsuab, Green.)
0%
Sam vang, USDA/NRCS. 15-Sep 15-Oct 15-Nov

yield and quality. Date Observed

We planted the rootstocks on March 26,

1999. By carefully managed the irrigation and
fertilizer schedules, we were able to push the crop
to reach a reasonable marketable yield in 7-month
window. We harvested 6 pounds per clump (plant)
Figure 33: Shows percent of shoots per clump
harvested on Sept. 15, Oct. 15 & Nov. 15, 1999.
Spacing: (2' X 2'), (N-M=non-marketable.)
Variety: (Hom Ntsuab, Green.) Sam Vang,
USDA/NRCS.

16
for the first harvest on September 15. Second harvest was conducted on October 15, and we
attained 8 pounds per clump and the third harvest was conducted on November 15 with 10 pounds

Purple (1' x 1') Purple (2' X 3')

Size 1 Size 2 N-M Size 1 Size 2 N-M

80%
80%
60%

Percent
60% 40%
Percent

40% 20%

20% 0%
15-Sep 15-Oct 15-Nov
0% Date Observed
15-Sep 15-Oct 15-Nov
Date Observed
Figure 34: Shows percent of shoots per clump
harvested on Sept. 15, Oct. 15 & Nov. 15, 1999.
Figure 35: Shows percent of shoots per clump Spacing: (2' X 3'), (N-M=non-marketable.)
harvested on Sept. 15, Oct. 15 & Nov. 15, 1999. Variety: (Homxiav, Purple.) Sam Vang,
Spacing: (1' X 1'), (N-M=non-marketable.) Variety: USDA/NRCS.
(Homxiav, Purple.) Sam Vang, USDA/NRCS.
per clump. The crop produced high quality production. Canes were uniform in sizes. The
straightness of the canes was perfect and uniformity. Canes were darkgreen and were essentially
acceptable to the fresh market.
We also collected a harvesting data from the 15-month window crop production and
compared this operation costs to the 7-month window crop production costs.

Purple (2' X 2') Green (2'X3') spacing

N-M Size #2 Size #1
size 1 Size 2 N-M
10.00
Weight in pound

80% 8.00
60% 6.00
Percent

40% 4.00
20% 2.00
0% 0.00
15-Sep 15-Oct 15-Nov
Sept. Oct. Nov.
Date Observed Observation dates

Figure 36: Shows percent of shoots per clump
harvested on Sept. 15, Oct. 15 & Nov. 15, 1999.
Spacing: (2' X 2'), (N-M=non-marketable.)
Variety: (Homxiav, Purple.) Sam Vang,
USDA/NRCS.
Figure 37: Shows pounds per clump harvested on
Sept. 15, Oct. 15 & Nov. 15, 1999. Spacing: (2' X
3'), (N-M=non-marketable.) Variety: (Homntsuab,
Green.) Sam Vang, USDA/NRCS.

17
 Green (2'X2') spacing Purple (2'X3') spacing
N-M Size #2 Size #1 N-M Size #2 Size #1
Weight in pound

12.00

Weight in pound
6.00
10.00
4.00 8.00
6.00
2.00
4.00
0.00 2.00
0.00
Sept. Oct. Nov.
Sept. Oct. Nov.
Observation dates
Observation dates

Figure 39: Shows pounds per clump harvested

Figure 38: Shows pounds per clump harvested
on Sept. 15, Oct. 15 & Nov. 15, 1999. Spacing:
on Sept. 15, Oct. 15 & Nov. 15, 1999. Spacing:
(2' X 3'), (N-M=non-marketable.) Variety:
(2' X 2'), (N-M=non-marketable.) Variety:
(Homxiav, Purple.) Sam Vang, USDA/NRCS.
(Homntsuab, Green.) Sam Vang, USDA/NRCS.

Pueple (2'X2') spacing

N-M Size #2 Size #1
Purple (1'X1') spacing
N-M Size #2 Size #1
Weight in pound

15.00
6.00
10.00 5.00
Weight in

4.00
pound

5.00 3.00
2.00
0.00 1.00
Sept. Oct. Nov. 0.00
Observation dates Sept. Oct. Nov.
Observation dates
Figure 40: Shows pounds per clump harvested
on Sept. 15, Oct. 15 & Nov. 15, 1999. Spacing: Figure 41: Shows pounds per clump harvested on
(2' X 2'), (N-M=non-marketable.) Variety: Sept. 15, Oct. 15 & Nov. 15, 1999. Spacing: (1' X
(Homxiav, Purple.) Sam Vang, USDA/NRCS. 1'), (N-M=non-marketable.) Variety: (Homxiav,
Purple.) Sam Vang, USDA/NRCS.

MARKETING
Most of the lemongrass production is distributed within the SE Asian population through out
the nation and in Canada. Approximately, ninety percent of the crop production was sold as food
additive. The market share is 40% in Canada and 60% in the United States (Cherta Farm Inc. of
Fresno.)
http://www.fresno.ca.gov/4010/CRARCH/cr042801.html
http://www.house.gov/agriculture/risk.htm
http://www.passionforlife.com/product/321_11_72.cfm

Marketing new crops, Emerson M. Babb, 1990:

http://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/prodeedings1990/V1-006.html

18
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
As part of the effort to communicate with local Asian growers, a contract has signed with
S.T. Universal Radio, a Producer of Asian Programming to conduct a thirty minutes radio call-in-
show on every fourth Tuesday of the month. The first year contract was signed in March 1999/2000
fiscal year and a second contract was signed on
April 2000 for the 2000/2001 fiscal year. The
response has been excellent. Also, I have
arranged a one-hour-free radio show with Mr. Bee
Lor, Producer for Asian Music Program on the
same radio station. The airtime was donated to
the Southeast Asian Specialty Crop Experimental
Project, and there were two shows per month.
The shows started from July 2, 1999 to September
3, 1999. Mr. Lor and I were working hard to
make the program possible and that was part of
our combination efforts to educate the SE Asian
farming community to better understand about the
Figure 42: Sam Vang is announcing USDA
programs on Hmong Voice Radio, KBIF900AM of
farming issues in the Valley. Topics discussed
Fresno to the Hmong community in the Central have included Demonstration Farm, Community
Valley, California. The radio covers from Tulare Outreach, and Basic Farming Techniques.
up to Merced Counties. Photo: Pheng Yang, S.T. The output as from April last year to April
Radio. this year was phenomenon. A total of eighteen
radio programs were being hosted on KBIF 900AM through Asian Music Program (free airtime)
and S.T. Universal Radio (pay airtime). Five minutes were allowed for the audiences to call in for
questions, and there was an average of five callers per show. Most of the questions concerned about
the soil fertility, water, pesticide, and
fertilization management. Consequently, as
my ten-year-experiences working with the
SE Asian farming community, I am able to
tell that we did a good job on the radio
programs. Also, the growers worked hard to
achieve their potential. Fortunately,
agricultural business achievement became
reality to many of them. For example, Yee
Lee, President of Cherta Farm Inc. of Fresno,
farms on 165 and plus acres of fifty varieties
of the Asian specialty crops. He is
considered as both farmer and shipper that Figure 43: Sam Vang is talking to a group of Hmong
gardeners about water and fertilizer uses at a
specialize in this area. His annual gross sale community garden site in Fresno, California. (June
over the last three years has exceeded $1 2000.) Photo: Mailha Lee, ARMS Coordinator.
million. Currently, he has over 19
permanent employees. In addition, Kao Yang, Owner of Yang Specialty Produce of Sanger,
grossed over $50K annually on his 10 acre-farm. He moved his produces through farmers market in
Long Beach and Cerritos in Southern California. The short growing and marketing season start
from April and end in October. Today, he grows more than 32 varieties of the SE Asian Specialty
crops and he is currently planning to expand his market to Sacramento, Northern California and San
Francisco, the Bay area.

19
 Lemongrass workshop, the second annual SE Asian Specialty Crop Production
Improvement workshop was held on April 19, 2000 at the California State University of Fresno.
The purpose was to provide the SE Asian farmers with a basic farming technique in this country. It
discussed some of the critical
issues involved in lemongrass
production. Dave Krietemeyer,
NRCS Area Engineer, Dr. Hile,
Plant Science Department Chair
(CSUF), Dr. Jost, Plant Science
Professor (CSUF), and myself
covered topics of irrigation,
nutrient, herbicide, pesticide, and
frost management. In addition,
tractor and farm equipment
demonstration was included in the
workshop and provided by Fresno
Equipment. This workshop
attracted over 36 specialty crop
farmers and 14 others of
Figure 44: Chu Yang, Soil Conservationist, is explaining the soil agricultural experts, local
texture to former General Vang Pao of Laos and a group of Hmong government and non-profit
leaders during an outreach demonstration field day at CSU-Fresno. organization representatives. In
Photo: Tria Yang, former USDA Office Administration Assistant. addition, different recipes of SE
Asian dishes, dessert,
and drinks were
served. They were
included, steam rice,
sticky purple rice,
sweet banana rice,
beef-fried rice,
steamed fish and
broccoli with
lemongrass flavor,
bar-be-que fish with
ground-lemongrass,
lab (beef-spicy-salad,
Lao style), fawmkauv
(ground-pork in rice
flour sheet), hot
lemongrass and chili
sauce (Sam's recipe), Figure 45: Chu Yang and Sam Vang with a group of volunteer students and two
international students from Thailand. Front row: left to right: Oue Ly, Vien Ly, Chu
Thai chili sauce, and Yang, Ye Yang, Surachai Thippayavirot, (Thai student) and Wang Yang. Back row:
hot/spicy ginger sauce left to right: Sam Vang, Sylvia Lee, Mee Thao, Fong Vang, Ge Yang, and Nopporn
(Hmong style). Sae-Thao, (Thai student.) Photo: Ken Grimes, USDA-NRCS, Soil Conservationist.
Hmong special
homemade rice flour-
cookies, doughnut holes, and namvarn (special Hmong-style drink) served as dessert, and drinks
such as coconut drink, soybean drink, sugarcane drink, mandarin drink, and tamarind juice also
20
served. KC Super Market, Asian Super Market, and Bingo Grocery Store distributed all of the
foods and drinks.

RECIPES & Other uses:

Dish: Stir-fried Shrimp With Lemon Grass 2 lb Large shrimp; shelled
Categories: Seafood, Thai ¼ lb Mushrooms; cut up
8 servings ¼ lb Snow peas; stringed
==================================
---------------A MIXTURE------------------- ------------GARNISHES---------------------
1 tsp Lemon grass; chopped fine ¼ cup Peanuts; chopped
1 tsp Garlic; chopped 2 tbsp Green onion; slivered
Fresh ground pepper
½ tsp Salt Pound A Mixture ingredients to a paste in a mortar or
4 Dried chili peppers; seeded in food processor. Mix the B Mixture and set aside.
-Soaked and chopped Heat the oil in a wok and add the A Mixture and stir-
fry until the aroma is released (a few seconds).
-------------B MIXTURE-------------------- Increase heat and add shrimp, mushrooms and snow
3 tbsp Fish soy peas for 3 minutes. Add the B Mixture and blend well.
1 tbsp Sugar Garnish and serve with rice or friend fine noodles.
1 tbsp Cornstarch dissolved in water
2 tbsp Water
4 tbsp Oil Recipe from Meal-Master
Dish: THAI TOMYUM
GUNG (SHRIMP)/GAI (CHICKEN)
Dish: RICE WITH LEMONGRASS & Categories: Poultry
GREEN ONION Yield: 1 serving
Categories: Thai, Vegetables, Rice
Yield: 4 Serving 2 to 3 Stalks of lemon grass
2 lb Tiger shrimps
2 tbsp Vegetable oil -OR- boneless chicken meat
2/3 c Finely chopped onion 5 to 6 Lime leaves (kaffir)
¼ tsp Turmeric Lemon juice and fish sauce
1 c Long-grain white rice 2 to 3 small Red/green chili peppers
1¾ c Water 1 can Straw mushrooms
1 12” long lemongrass stalks, 1½ tbsp Thai chili paste*
-cut into 2” long pieces Cilantro/parsley
½ tsp Salt
1 Large green onion, chopped *With soybeans oil (dark reddish-brown color), which
comes in a jar that can be bought at any Thai grocery
Heat 1 ½ tbsp oil in heavy medium saucepan over
medium heat. Add 2/3 cup onion and turmeric and Instructions: oil some water (half of the spot) in a 1.5
sauté 5 minutes. Mix in rice. Add water, lemongrass qt saucepan. Put in lemon grass, and the chili paste.
and ½ tsp salt and bring to simmer. Cover, reduce heat Put in the “lime” leaves and sliced chili peppers (1
to medium-low and simmer until rice is tender and min). It’s done!!
liquid stand covered 10 minutes. Discard lemongrass.
Heat remaining ½ T oil in heavy large skillet over Now you can mix it in a serving bowl with some lemon
medium heat. Add green onion and sauté 1 minute. juice and fish sauce. Garnish with cilantro and serve
Add rice and stir until heated through. Season to taste hot with Thai Jasmine rice.
with salt. _____________________________________

Dish: TOM YUM GAI – CHICKEN IN

Recipe from Meal-Master LEMON GRASS SOUP
____________________________________________ Categories: Soups Seafood
Thai Poultry

21
Yield: 6 servings dry skillet, dry roast about one tsp whole black
peppercorns for a minute or two.
1 tbsp whole black peppercorns
3 Garlic cloves—chopped fine In your blender whiz up the peppercorns together with
2 tbsp Fresh lemon juice 2 or 3 garlic cloves, 2 tsp salt, 2 tsp lemon juice, and a
-roasted big bunch of fresh coriander (cilantro) which you have
2 tsp Salt coarsely chopped, stems and roots included (about 2
2 c Coriander – coarsely chopped cups).
----------SOUP-----------------
6 Chicken drumsticks -- skinned TO MAKE THE SOUP: Whack each drumstick in two.
1 t Chopped garlic Whiz up the garlic, chilies, and pepper and Coriander
-and sliced Paste together in your blender, and mix with the
6 c Good chicken stock chicken. Allow 15 minutes to marinate. Place the
-Kaffir lime leaves- stock, lime leaves (or zest), onions, galangal, and
¾ c Chopped onions or shallots- lemon.
3 Slices fresh or frozen ____________________________________________
2 Stems lemon grass
2 tsp Sugar Drink: Lemongrass Tea (By: Sam Vang)
2 tbsp Limejuice
3 Red chilies -- seeded 1 3 in. lgth. Lemongrass stalk
1 tbsp Pepper and Coriander Paste 2 cups water
2 Fresh, frozen, or dried 2 tsp sugar
Galangal, sliced 1 pelt lemon skin
2 tbsp Chopped fresh coriander
Preparing: Smash the lemongrass stalk, put into
(Thai Chicken in Lemon Grass Soup) This is from the water pot and brings it to broil for 2 to 4 minutes,
Charmaine Solomon’s newest publication: THAI pour the hot lemongrass tea to a small seep using a
COOKBOOK. basket style disposable coffee filter (set on the tea pot.)
Then add sugar and one peel of lemon skin to it and
TO MAKE PEPPER AND CORIANDER PASTE: ready to serve, (two persons.)
This is a basic Thai flavoring and will make about one
cup, which you can store in the Tom Yum Gai. In a

For more recipes, please go to the following websites:

http://www.recipebookonline.com/asp/viewrecipe.asp?ID=547
http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/foodday/fdo397/fd031197.html
http://www.fodhubcom.net/eqi-win/recipe.exe?3$2$1$21$84
http://www.findarticles.com
http://www.america.com/catalog/item.21002.html
http://www.melissas.com/recipes/index.cfm?recipe_id=790
http://www.thebigholistic.com

Work Cited

Raymond W. Miller and Duane T. Gardiner, 1998. Soils in Our Environment, Eighth Edition.

Henry D. Foth, 1990. Fundamentals of Soil Science, (Michigan Stat University) Eighth Edition.

John L. Havlin, James D. Beaton, Samuel L. Tisdale, and Werner L. Nelson, 1999. Soil Fertility
and Fertilizers, An Introduction to Nutrient Management, Sixth Edition.

22
Michael Ableman, Alice Waters, and Cynthia Wisehart, 1998. On Good Land, The Autobiography
of an Urban Farm.

Fred Magdoff, 1993. Building Soils for Better Crops, Organic Matter Management

Frederick R. Steiner, James R. Pease, and Robert E. Coughlin, 1994. A Decade with LESA, The
Evolution of Land Evaluation and Site Assessment.

Bert L. Bohmont, 2000, The Standard Pesticide User's Guide, Fifth Edition, Pesticides and
Environmental Considerations.
Jeffrey L. Gunsolus, William S. Curran, 1998, Herbicide Mode of Action and Injury Symptoms.
http://www.gopher-cec.mes.umn.edu/Documents/D/C/DC3832.html

California Fertilizer Association, 1995, Western Fertilizer Handbook, Eight Edition.

Hudson T. Hartmann, Dale E. Kester, Fred T. Davies, Jr, Robert L. Geneve, 1997, Plant
Propagation, Principles and Practices, Sixth Edition.

Cooperative Extension University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources,

1989, The Grower's Weed Identification Handbook, Sheet WI-1 through WI-311.

Douglas Helms, 1998, Natural Resources Conservation Service History.

http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov

Labor Law Information. http://www.cralf.org/ab1675 htm.htm

California Minor Crops Council. http://www.minorcrops.org

Special thanks to:

Dr. M. Hile, CSU Fresno Professor, Plant Science Department
Dr. C. Krauter, CSU Fresno Professor, Plant Science Department
Dr. S. Benes, CSU Fresno Professor, Plant Science Department
Dr. A. Olney, CSU Fresno Professor, Plant Science Department
Dr. C. Phearson, Land Operation Department
Dr. Farrar, CSU Fresno Professor, Plant Science Department
Dr. P. Jost, Former CSU Fresno Professor, Plant Science Department
Dr. Mayse, Former CSU Fresno Professor, Plant Science Department
Dr. N. Smith, Fresno County Entomologist & Part time CSU Fresno Professor, Plant Science
Department
Gary Chavaro, CSU Fresno Farm Manager
Dr. S. Nance, USDA, region Sociologist, Fresno
Dr. Mon yee, USDA Liaison Officer, CS Polytechnic University, Pomona
Frank Menezes, USDA, former District Conservationist, Fresno County
Sierra Resources Conservation District, Fresno
Ken Grimes, Soil Conservationist, USDA, Fresno
David Durham, USDA, District Conservationist, Fresno County
Mike Jeffries, USDA, District Conservationist, Tulare County

23
John Beyer, USDA, Fresno
Dave Krietemyer, USDA, Area Engineer, Fresno
Steve Crow, USDA, Soil Conservationist, Fresno
Carolyn Lofreso, USDA, Soil Conservationist, Fresno
Amy Rocha, USDA, Soil Conservationist, Stockton
Bruce Champion, USDA, Engineer Technician, Fresno
Kim Chang, Retired Area Soil Scientist, Fresno
Rudy Perez, USDA, Public Relation Specialist, Fresno
Chu Yang, USDA, Soil Conservationist, Tulare
Tria Yang, former USDA Office Administration Assistant, Fresno
Mailha Lee, Agape Refugee Ministry & Service and her group, Fresno
Kao Yang, Yang Specialty Crops of Sanger, Fresno
Yee Lee, Cherta Farm, Fresno
John Xiong, KC Super Market, Fresno
Cheng Vang, Bingo Grocery Store, Fresno
Chafong Lee, Asia Super Market, Fresno
Su Thao, S.T. Radio Program, Fresno
Bee Lor, Hmong Voice of Central Valley Radio Program, Fresno
Jamila A., Volunteer Student from Italy
Lou Vang, Volunteer Student from Fresno City College
Yia Xiong, Volunteer Student from Fresno City College
Michael Yang, UCCE, Fresno County
Richard Molinar, UCCE, Fresno County
Sam Balasi, Fresno Equipment & Tractors, Fresno
Tou Hue Yang, Volunteer, Clovis
Tria Vang, Volunteer Farmer, Sanger
Chongyee Xiong, Volunteer Farmer, Clovis

For more information, contact:

W. Sam Vang, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fresno Field Office, 4625 W.
Jennifer Ave, Suite 125, Fresno, Ca 93722. Phone: (559) 276-7494 Ext.3. Fax: (559) 276-1791. E-
mail: sam.vang@ca.usda.gov or Chu Yang, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service,
Visalia Field Office, 3530 W. Orchard Court, Visalia, Ca 93277. Phone: (559) 732-9163 Ext.3. Fax:
(559) 732-2805. E-mail: chu.yang@ca.usda.gov

24